New use for former Building 19/Spag's site in Shrewsbury?

Saturday

Jan 4, 2014 at 6:00 AM

By Alli Knothe TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SHREWSBURY — A part of the vacant Spag's/Building 19 on Route 9 could be occupied by an antiques marketplace within the next month.

The property is owned by William Elovitz, president of the now-bankrupt Building 19, which was the most recent tenant of that space. Not a part of the bankruptcy proceedings, the property was recently put up for sale, said Norman Greenberg, attorney representing Mr. Elovitz.

"We've stressed we would like to see a different type of use," said Kristen Las, town planner and economic development coordinator for Shrewsbury. "We'd like to see one developer come and turn it into a mixed-use type of development."

Although the town "is not in a position to be a developer" for that site, Ms. Las said, the site is "one of our priority development areas."

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission in August submitted an analysis that laid out a plan for the 14-acre site, calling for townhouses, four-story residential buildings, as well as retail and office space. The plan also proposed partnering with the University of Massachusetts Medical Center to "move beyond parking for students and staff" and further develop the space.

The proposed tenant, Doug Thomson, submitted an application with the town in August, said building inspector Patricia Sheehan. It was approved the following month.

"Doug has had to make some improvements," she said. "It's just taken him this long to get to a point to get a certificate."

Mr. Greenberg said the remaining barriers include a additional inspection, which he said will likely be done next week.

"If that passes, and I think it will, he will be getting the space ready (to open)," he said.

Two months ago, a 150-booth flea market, which has a handful of antiques vendors, opened a mile down the road.

"It took us like two years to open the business in this town," said Jack Tai, one of the partners the Route 9 Flea Market.

Mr. Greenberg stressed the business slated for the former Spag's building will not be a flea market, but rather a place to buy "expensive merchandise."

"There's nothing there for 75 cents, or $1," he said. "It's like apples and oranges... the only thing that's similar is that they're independent venders."

Mr. Tai said he had not heard of the latest development, but he was concerned about two similar businesses so close to each other, especially given the large number of vendors who sell products in his operation each Saturday and Sunday.

Mr. Greenberg reiterated that they would not be in competition.

The former Spag's/Building 19 is about 80 years old and originally a discount department store

Across the street, Jay Thomas, who has worked at Thomas Auto Parts for 30 years, said the vacant space isn't helping the surrounding businesses.

"In the late '80s and early '90s, it used to be a lot of traffic. Now (the property) is pitch black," he said. "If you have a place that does millions of dollars of business and then it goes to zero, it has a huge impact on the area."

Contact Alli Knothe at aknothe@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @KnotheA